AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Nami looked around with a smile on her face, and however much she denied it, her eyes scanned the space for the tall guy she was intrigued by from just one meeting. She took a few steps away from the center of the party and walked over to a somewhat quiet spot, observing the various events around her.
There were games that involved alcohol while another was a game of darts. A sudden loud cheering grabbed her attention to a small group at one side of the beach. The guys and gals seemed to be gathered around a table set up in the sand.
Like a moth drawn to the flame, she walked toward the group, curiosity at its peak to find out what the fuss was about. The closer she got, she realized the cheering was for an arm-wrestling match. As she got closer, she could see two hands locked in challenge through the gaps between the people as they moved around cheering.
She couldn’t get closer for a better view, but she wanted to see the match because it was one game her father and uncles from her mom’s and dad’s side challenged each other every family reunion. It was a tradition to have an arm-wrestling match at almost every event, and the winner had bragging rights until the next rematch.
In her eagerness to watch the match, she moved around, trying to catch a glimpse of the game before it ended. The challenge sometimes would end in less than thirty seconds, but this particular handlock seemed to go on longer.
Must be an intense one.
Desperation took over, and she looked around to find a way for her to witness the fun. She saw an ice chest to one side, and the way it was placed, she knew it would give her a much better view.
Risking being chastised for not following party etiquette, she quickly shut it and pulled it closer to the gathered group, climbing on it to catch a glimpse, hopefully of the winning moment.
“Nice,” she let out a cry of joy as she caught the top view of the two locked hands.
One arm was longer and leaner than the other while the other wrestler’s arm was beefy, exuding strength. Both arm wrestlers wore T-shirts with sleeves cut off, showing the muscles that were engaged on holding off the opponent’s strengths.
Her eyes fell on something she had not seen anyone wear before—a braided black bracelet that wrapped around the leaner arm as an armlet. It was nestled right between the bulge in the biceps, and she stared at it with amazement, the game itself no longer holding her captive.
Her eyes trailed up the lean yet strong arm, and just as soon as her eyes fell on the top of the guy’s head, she knew who it was. And as if that was the perfect moment, the long, lean arm slammed the back of the beefy hand to the table and let out a victorious cry.
It was him. Rana.
He stood up, slamming his palm on the table with sheer joy as the group broke into a clamor. The group hooted as if in disbelief, and she stood awkwardly on top of the large ice chest still staring at him.
Even as he hi-fived the people around him, she knew she had to get off before people noticed her, but she kept looking at him in awe. How could a guy be so intriguing? The more she found out about him, he perfectly matched her every liking.
Definitely a distraction. Stay away from him.
Just as the thought passed through her mind, he looked up at her, the sparkle in his eyes sending a sizzle through her. As if her feet melted and molded into the top of the ice chest she stood on, she stayed put as he made his way through the small crowd and walked toward her.
She never thought she could ever look down at him given how tall he was, but she was enjoying the view from up top. Her lips stretched into a smile as he moved closer.
“Hey.” He held his hand out to her, and she felt the heat creep up her cheeks as she placed hers in his rough palm.
“Hi.” Her voice came out as a hiss as he helped her off the ice chest. She was thankful when she found it, but now that she was caught standing on it, she hoped she could hide behind it to save her from the embarrassment. If only she had jumped off it as soon as the match was done.
“Namrata, right?” He was being cool and casual, but her senses were running high.
She nodded, although it was her habit to tell people she preferred the short form of her name. “Fun party,” she managed to say.
“Glad you made it. I was hoping to see you again.” He was direct and made no attempt to twist his words.
“Me too.” The words escaped her before she could process what he said.
One end of his mouth twisted up in a sexy smirk. “Good. Let me show you around.”
He turned away, and she let out a big inner sigh of relief. It was intense to be under his gaze, especially when she was worried he could feel the heat that rose to her cheeks, setting them on fire.
“I take it you enjoy arm wrestling?” His eyes were ahead as he led her through an area that was set up like an arcade with all kinds of games.
A small laugh escaped her at the thought of family reunions where her uncles would cry like little kids after losing an arm-wrestling match with her dad. “Yes, it’s a family tradition.”
A curious eyebrow was raised as he turned to look at her. “And sounds like an enjoyable one too.”
“Yeah, and I don’t think I had seen one that went on as long as the one you just won.” She was still amazed.
